Northeast India: An Unexplored Paradise

MANILA, Philippines – At the 5th International Tourism Mart for the Northeast Region held late last year in Manipur, stakeholders from the government, the local tourism sector and international tour operators and buyers came together to promote the relatively undiscovered northeast region comprised of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, as well as neighboring West Bengal. The region is slated to be the tourism hotspot of 2017.

With participants from ASEAN, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Russia, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, Kenya, Oman, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the UK and the US, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh noted the region’s potential to be a world class destination.

Union Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi highlighted the diverse tourist attractions in the region. He said the national tourism ministry is increasing its support for the promotion of the northeast region, both locally and internationally. He also encouraged all states in the region to synergize their efforts for promoting the region.

Zutshi said they are aggressively investing in public and tourism infrastructure, the core being road, rail, air and waterways. They are also increasing safety and security, which is a top concern for travelers to the region. Singh stressed the importance of developing air connectivity, especially for international flights.

They are also streamlining visa procedures, even offering a more convenient e-Visa application process for select countries, including the Philippines.

Time for tea

India is second only to China as the largest producer of tea in the world. India is also the largest consumer of tea. Both of the most renowned teas in Indian tea culture are found in the northeast. India’s tea culture is embedded deeply in its history, with first mentions of tea consumption being recorded in the Ramayana, centuries before the British commercialized tea production in the country.

Assam is the world’s largest tea-growing region, with more than 800 major and 60,000 small estates.

Darjeeling, on the other hand, is a district of West Bengal that calls itself the “sweetest part of India.” The popular Darjeeling tea is also known as “the champagne of tea.”

Both Assam and Darjeeling offer tea plantation experiences which tea lovers will surely appreciate.

Enjoying a cup of delicious tea, straight from where it was picked, is an all-sensory experience. Also not to be missed on a tour to any place in India is a taste of hot masala chai – sweet tea with a signature blend of spices and milk.

Naturally Northeast

Unlike big cities like Delhi and Mumbai, what the northeast region has to offer is their natural sights.

Arunachal Pradesh, which calls itself “the last Shangri-La,” offers 12 different combinations of tourist options that include trekking, angling, rafting and wildlife observation.

Aside from its vast tea fields, Assam boasts of the largest freshwater river in the world. Majuli is the largest river island in the world and is a cultural heritage treasure of the region and pride of the state. The island receives a wide variety of rare migratory birds and is a melting pot for regional culture. Assam is also home to the single largest population of one-horned Indian rhinoceros, which was in danger of extinction. Many of these are protected at the Kazirangan National Park, which offers exciting safari experiences via jeep or even on elephant back. Real nature lovers may enjoy an overnight safari to really connect with nature.

Among its many natural attractions, Meghalaya’s must-see attraction are the living root bridges. These natural engineering marvels braid together thick, sturdy roots to form bridges that can even be two- or three-tiered.

Surrounded by lush foliage, the root bridges look like they come straight out of a fantasy movie.

Sikkim’s hot springs are frequented by locals and well known for their healing properties. Sikkim is also proud of its abundant natural resources, deeming their state “where nature smiles.”

Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur likewise have attractions that highlight their own environmental treasures like rafting, fishing, caving, trekking, ziplines and more.

Incredible Northeast India

“India is certainly incredible,” said Zutshi, going back to India’s tourism slogan.

“The northeast is diverse in itself,” he said. “Within the northeast there is already so much diversity. People are festive, smiling, happy and energized.”

With renewed efforts to promote the unexplored paradise that is the Northeast region, visitors from all over the world will soon realize that every corner of India is indeed incredible.